Iraq bans nuclear tests

THE world just got a tiny bit safer. Iraq has agreed to an international ban on nuclear explosions, reducing the risk of a nuclear conflict in the Middle East.

Iraq is the 179th country to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. "It is a strong political signal for nuclear disarmament," says Tibor Toth, the head of the treaty's preparatory commission. "My hope is that it will encourage other countries to follow suit."

Among the countries that have yet to sign the treaty are Syria, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and India. For the treaty to come into force, it also has to be ratified by the parliaments of 44 key nations with nuclear facilities. Nine of those nations, including Iran, Israel, Egypt, North Korea, China and the US, have failed to ratify the treaty.

Iraq's move has been welcomed by disarmament experts, though some question its significance. It's good but "relatively meaningless" given ...

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